Growing Tomatoes: GIP Live Reference Materials

The February Q&A on Growing Tomatoes offered valuable tips for the home gardener to be successful with tomatoes in 2022.  Below are the reference materials related to specific questions that were asked.

Let’s start out with the panels favorite tomatoes including hybrids and heirlooms.

Evan:  Supersweet 100, Sungold
Larry:  Amelia, Brandywine, Cherokee Purple
Sam: Better Boy, Tasti Lee, Sweethearts
Matt: Mountain Magic, Mountain Rouge, Bella Rosa
Daniel: Black cherry and Big Beef

Why are tomatoes red?

• Heat Brings Out Antioxidants, Increases Red in Tomatoes https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2020/12/17/heat-brings-out-antioxidants-increases-red-in-tomatoes/#:~:text=For%20the%20study%2C%20researchers%20with,increased%20heat%20to%20stimulate%20tomatoes.&text=Carotenoids%20include%20pigments%2C%20one%20of,lycopene%2C%20which%20makes%20tomatoes%20red

Can we grow tomatoes year around?

• Veggies and Herbs Made in the Shade: A Growing Season Calendar for North Florida https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/HS1228

I have very sandy/loamy soil. Do I have a chance at successfully growing tomatoes?

• Soils and Fertilizers for Master Gardeners: Soil Organic Matter and Organic Amendments, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MG454

What is the best time to start tomatoes in North Florida?

• Keys to Growing Tomatoes in North Florida, https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2017/02/25/keys-to-growing-tomatoes-in-florida/

If one grows in raised beds, should one rotate where in the bed tomatoes are planted?

• Cover Crop Publication links, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/entity/topic/cover_crops

If you plant tomatoes in mid-March, how long will they continue to produce fruit?

• Tomato Growing Tips, https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/hort/2019/05/27/5-simple-tips-for-backyard-tomato-growing-success/

I’m thinking of trying hydroponic gardening on a few tomato plants this year. Do you think a 50/50 mix of perlite and vermiculite would be a good approach for a soil medium? I’d like to use 5-gallon buckets and keep maintenance to a minimum.

• Hydroponic Publication Links, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/entity/topic/hydroponic_production

What tomatoes grow best in inland Bay County? Coastal vs inland considerations.
Best type for all day sun (speak to tomatoes light requirements)

• Tomato Varieties, https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/tomato_varieties_chart.pdf

What is the best tomato variety for Northwest Florida? I need one go-to variety for both regular tomatoes and cherry type.

• Tomato Production, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/CV137

How to get more tomatoes, less vine?

• Light, Fertilizer and Cultivar Selection Affect Growth and Yield of Containerized Patio Tomatoes, https://mrec.ifas.ufl.edu/foliage/resrpts/rh_96_1.htm

My tomatoes get black on the bottom and rot. What causes this and how do I prevent it?

• Blossom End Rot on Tomatoes, https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/highlandsco/2020/04/17/blossom-end-rot-on-tomatoes/#:~:text=With%20Blossom%20end%20rot%2C%20tomatoes,become%20discolored%20and%20finally%20rots

Do tomatoes need a lot of water?

• Blue Dye Irrigation Test, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf/SS/SS59400.pdf

Why do my tomatoes split/burst/crack while on the vine?

• Why Are My Tomatoes Cracking, https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/santarosaco/2013/07/07/why-are-my-tomatoes-cracking/#:~:text=When%20tomato%20plants%20have%20fluctuations,the%20skin%2C%20thus%20cracking%20appears

Any suggestions for how to handle especially wet years like last summer? My tomatoes really suffered.

• Dealing With Heavy Rains, https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/weather/dealing-with-heavy-rain.html

How do I keep the leaves from getting dark spots that spread and kills foliage? 

• A Series of Diseases in the Florida Vegetable Garden: Tomato, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdf%5Carchived%5CPP%5CPP121%5CPP121-10104936.pdf

How do you string tomatoes vine to a stake?

• Tomato Staking Techniques, https://mgsantaclara.ucanr.edu/garden-help/vegetables/tomatoes/tomato-staking-techniques/

What causes catfacing?

• Tomato Disease – Catfacing, https://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/u-scout/tomato/catface.html

 

Every year I’m having trouble with an amazing amount of insect infestations on my tomatoes & peppers I grow in containers. What can I do to help?

• Tomato Insect Pest Management, https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/care/pests-and-diseases/pests/management/tomato-insect-pest-management.html

How do marigolds (which variety) or basil aid tomatoes?

• Marigolds for Nematode Management, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/NG045

Please talk about save tomato seeds to grow. Some can’t afford to buy potted tomato plants.

• Saving Tomato Seeds, https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/escambiaco/2020/06/03/saving-tomato-seeds/

Can you add nutrients into the soil from last year’s tomatoes to reuse again this year?

• Compost Tips for the Home Gardener, https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP323